Organic Standards and Issues
Making the finest organic foods, especially locally grown, available to our customers is one of Lakewinds’ most important missions. These foods provide a welcome reassurance to our customers that they are feeding their families clean, safe food that’s also good for the environment. As of October, 2002, when implementation of the new USDA organic standards was finalized, all food products sold as organic in the U.S. are covered by USDA’s national organic standards.
Somewhat ironically, the more successful the organic food industry is, the more the current standards are at risk of being weakened by those in Congress beholden to large food industry corporations. Many agribusiness behemoths desire a piece of the organic pie without all the hard work and integrity currently involved. Lakewinds believes that the strongest possible organic standards benefits us all, and will help resist attempts to water them down for the benefit of the greedy. Join us in fighting to keep the standards strong!
CURRENT STANDARDS
The USDA's organic standards make for very interesting reading. They can be found HERE.
At the HOME PAGE of the USDA’s National Organics Program, you’ll find current news and more importantly requests for comments on open issues. Participate!
CURRENT HOT ISSUES >>> TAKE ACTION !!
1. Now that organic agriculture is a $15 billion industry and growing, it is squarely in the crosshairs of multinational corporations. Major food manufacturers are entering organic production, cutting corners, inflating prices, and endangering the integrity of organic agriculture (factory farms, nonorganic inputs, and imported ingredients with questionable certification). SIGN THE ORGANIC CONSUMERS ASSOCIATION'S PETITION TO THE NATIONAL ORGANIC STANDARDS BOARD TO STOP FACTORY FARM ORGANICS
2. The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) is proud to announce the launch of a new and ambitious global campaign called Breaking the Chains: Buy Local, Organic, and Fair Made.
3. EPA Will Allow Industry to Test Toxic Chemicals on Children & Adults. Hard to believe it's even possible, but please LEARN MORE AND BECOME INVOLVED.
MORE INFO:
For an almost overwhelming amount of information, including lots of under-reported news stories and many opportunities to help protect the organic standards, go to the Organic Consumers Association’s web site and the Organic Trade Association's site as well.